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February 6, 2025 | View Online |
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On top of all the usual travel headaches and climate concerns, we must be concerned about what's falling from our outer orbit. Not to instill any fear but falling space junk could be a growing risk to air travel safety.
If youβve been waiting for the perfect time to take that bucket list trip, consider this your cosmic nudge to book it now, before the next fall forecast includes space garbage.
In todayβs edition:
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Places on the do not travel list ahead of spring break
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Celebrity Cruises unveils a new space that blends the best of both ship and shore
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You can earn miles if your luggage is delayed on these airlines
Look up... and watch out,
Kaylen
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| TRAVEL |
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US Travel Warnings on Mexico: Places to Avoid
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Safety is a top priority when traveling, and with how unpredictable things can be, itβs important to stay informed before and during your travels. Before you head out, especially for spring break, make sure your passport is valid, your travel insurance is active, and your destination is safe according to the latest State Department advisories.
Mexico has always been a popular destination for spring breakers, but with a surge in visitors recently, the US State Department has issued safety warnings for popular areas like Cancun, Mexico City, Oaxaca, and more. There are concerns about rising crime rates, including robberies and violent crimes, especially in certain regions.
The US State Department is warning against travel to certain parts of Mexico largely due to safety issues. Areas like Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, and Sinaloa have a Level 4 advisory, meaning theyβre too dangerous to visit right now because of cartel violence. Puerto PeΓ±asco in Sonora also has a Level 3 advisory, urging travelers to think twice about crime. If you're planning to go to Mexico or anywhere else in the world check the latest advisories and avoid the high-risk spots. Stay safe! |
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| CREDIT CARDS |
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Fly Smarter: Luxury Travel, Unbeatable Card Benefits |
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Elevate your travel to first class levels without the hefty price tag with these handpicked travel credit cards.
Offering more than just complimentary TSA PreCheckβwhich in itself is a game-changer by allowing you to breeze through securityβthese cards are loaded with benefits crafted for the modern traveler. Enjoy hefty travel credits for those unexpected costs and generous sign-up bonuses that extend your travel reach.
But the perks don't end there; step into luxury with complimentary airport lounge access. This privilege turns waiting time into a moment of relaxation or productivity, setting a relaxed tone for your journey ahead. These cards don't just make travel easier; they transform it completely.
From TSA PreCheck's convenience to the indulgence of lounge access and financial flexibility thanks to travel credits and bonuses, you're fully equipped for a brilliant travel experience. Embrace a smarter way to travel with this selection of cards, perfectly blending comfort with travel savvy.
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| CRUISES |
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Credit: Celebrity Xcel |
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Celebrity Cruises Elevates Destination Immersion on New Ship
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On many cruises, there can be a disconnect between life on board and the destination. Once you step off the ship, you start to miss being immersed in local culture. Celebrity Cruises is changing that so you can have a better time onboard with a reimagined space on its newest ship, the 3,248-passenger Celebrity Xcel.
The Bazaar will be a fun hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment, drawing inspiration from the ship's destinations. It will feature daily festivals, meals, and activities that showcase the local culture. On Caribbean itineraries, look forward to four festivals celebrating the Bahamas, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and more. Come summer 2026, Mediterranean-themed festivals will also join in.
What will be different onboard?
ποΈ Shop local crafts like Caribbean masks and Mexican hats, basket-weaving demos and rum and chocolate pairings.
π Festivals, with performances like Junkanoo dancers and steel drum musicians.
π½ A fast-casual spot with rotating destination-inspired dishes and an open-kitchen restaurant with a changing menu based on the day's port. Plus a Chef's Table with a multi-course tasting menu with dishes from the culinary teamβs home countries.
π©βπ³ The first destination-inspired cooking school onboard, where guests can learn to make regional dishes tied to the dayβs festival.
The Bazaar is just the first of seven reimagined spaces coming to Celebrity Xcel when it launches in November 2025. Bookings are already open for the ship's inaugural seven-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, and more. In summer 2026, the ship will head to Europe for sailings from Barcelona and Piraeus, Greece, with overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal. Celebrity also revealed plans for a second Xcel ship, debuting in 2028.
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| AIRLINES |
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Earn Airline Miles for Baggage Delays |
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If you didnβt already know and have waited longer than you should have for your luggage at the airport carousel, some airlines may compensate for the delay with miles or money toward future travel. Alaska and Delta both offer a 20-minute baggage guarantee. If your checked bag isnβt on the carousel within 20 minutes of your planeβs door opening, you can claim 2,500 miles (or a $25 voucher with Alaska). But youβll need to ask for itβthey wonβt hand it over automatically.
π How to claim it:
Alaska Airlines guarantees your bag will be at baggage claim within 20 minutes, but delays can happen at busy airports like Denver or Seattle. If it takes longer, find an agent within two hours to submit a claim for miles or a discount code, which should arrive within three days. Each passenger gets one claim per trip, excluding oversized bags, international flights, and certain routes.
Deltaβs baggage guarantee, launched in 2015, lets you file a claim online, so you donβt have to speak with an agent. If your bag is delayed, visit this page within three days to request 2,500 SkyMiles, which should arrive within two weeks if approved. Youβll need to be a SkyMiles member, and the guarantee only applies to domestic flights, excluding strollers, sports gear, and award flights.
Know that weather delays and uncontrollable factors could void any reimbursements. If you have an Alaska or Delta credit card with free checked bags, this perk makes waiting a little less painfulβif your bagβs running late, at least youβll get some miles out of it!
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| EEK OF THE WEEK! |
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In news youβve probably already heard this week, the Dallas Mavericks sent shockwaves through the NBA by trading Luka DonΔiΔ to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. In non-NBA terms, this would be like trading your all-inclusive beachfront resort for a motel with a free buffet as the main amenity or giving up your first-class seat on a long-haul flight for an empty row in the exit aisle.
After the trade, a brewery in Dallas dropped a "Sell The Team" beer with a 7.7% ABV (Lukaβs jersey number) and a sad but funny tagline that reads, βDallas, this beer pairs well with our despair & confusion.β Itβs an interesting way to cope with the news. I canβt imagine anyone working for the Mavericks will be seeking out a pint, but Dallas fans and tourists sure will.
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| WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING |
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